Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual–PHOTO BY EUGENE ARANETA
Senior government officials of the Philippine and the United States are set to meet in Manila next month to discuss trade and other economic issues in the Indo-Pacific region, bringing together both public and the private sector to identify key opportunities in the future.
Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual said last week that the 6th Indo-Pacific Forum will be held in the Philippine capital, an event that will feature expert panels, business matchmaking, and other opportunities for key decision makers from both sides to connect with each other.
The one-day event, which is hosted by the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and the Philippine government, will be in its sixth year.
The forum is expected to build upon the success of the previous five, which brought together more than 8,500 participants from 67 countries.
“The event connects government, industry and international partners to share knowledge, identify export opportunities in emerging Indo-Pacific economies, and help partners find infrastructure solutions for development challenges,” read a press briefer of the event.
“The in-person event will bring together 500 attendees from across the region to participate,” it added.
Earlier in March, US companies announced new investments in the Philippines amounting to more than $1 billion during a two-day official visit by US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.
According to the Office of the United States Trade Representative, trade of goods and services between the two countries was estimated to be worth $36.1 billion in 2022.
Meanwhile, US foreign direct investment in the Philippines was at $6.2 billion during the same year, most of which were in manufacturing, professional, scientific, and technical services, and wholesale trade. INQ